I had always wanted to be a marine biologist – but I was rubbish at science. Then I became fascinated by the legal side of things… and somehow, I ended up as a Project Manager at L&G
I originally showed an interest in law when I started working for a law firm in a legal support role when I was 15 and still in school. I then opted to study Law and Spanish at Swansea University but decided to pursue something other than a full legal career. It was only thanks to a chance meeting between my father (a Fitness and Rehabilitation Consultant) and a patient of his, Helen Chatfield (Director of Transformation for LGR at the time), that I ended up in an interview for a Project Support Officer contract position at L&G. After being made an offer, I ended up becoming a permanent member of staff in the team after four months because it just felt right. As it happens, my first day at Legal & General was actually just three days after my final uni exam!
Like many graduates, I suffered from imposter syndrome at the start. I didn’t expect L&G to feel so small. I was nervous coming into such a big organisation, but the culture makes you feel connected to the Group and your division. The challenge for me then was working out whether I was any good at it and really taking the time to work through those first projects. But I fell back on a great piece of career advice I was given once. ‘Take the opportunities and don’t overthink it. Go with the flow.’
I also think that having Helen and now Emma Byron (Managing Director, Retirement Solutions, LGRR) as my mentors, has been incredibly helpful. After nearly four years at L&G, I am incredibly excited about what is next. I love working in change because it’s fast paced, constantly challenging and you get a lot of variety. I always strive for a new challenge and I think those that thrive here are driven, collaborative and have passion and energy about them.
I continue to be passionate about law and started supporting a legal aid charity last year. Switch Back focuses on young people age 18 to 25, based in London and the South East, who are convicted criminals leaving prison after completing their sentence and need help getting back on their feet. I feel it is an important cause to support as many of these people end up in prison having come from difficult and highly challenging circumstances and environments. So, if we change their circumstances, we can change their future. I feel it is important to create balance and equality within the justice system.
Since joining L&G, I have felt a very strong bond to my colleagues. When you run projects, for them to be successful, you have to depend on many teams. I have found that as I go through my project delivery cycle, I can continually see that collaboration: people go that extra mile to support the delivery. It feels like you’re on one team rather than in many. The bond continues beyond work and I have decided to swim the Solent from Southampton to the Isle of Wight this summer with two of my colleagues.
Originally from Surrey, I have been into water sports from an early age, including competitive swimming from the age of eight and I am a trained scuba diver. I have to admit, I am particularly drawn to anything that gives me an adrenaline kick. My family are incredibly sporty, and I grew up enjoying holidays where we were outdoors most of the time. While I have not been able to train fully due to lockdown pool closures, I am still trying to keep fit through home workouts. But I am optimistic that the weather will warm up soon and I can train in the sea again!
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